Online Degrees & Certificates
AA in Sociology
Program Description
Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real-life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions.
This program includes a range of courses that analyze sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues, and the social structure.
Sociology, with its extensive scope of subject matter, provides a valuable major for a diverse range of career paths.
Learn more about the program on the Sociology website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of sociology: social structure, culture, social stratification and inequality, race, ethnicity, gender, and globalization.
Students will be able to apply their understanding of sociology to their professional, personal, and civic lives.
Career Opportunities
A major in sociology prepares students to seek employment in various employment sectors. The level of education completed influences the range of career opportunities offered. Advanced degrees in sociology broaden students' career paths to include high school through university teaching, research, consulting, business, politics, journalism, public relations, and public administration and all fields that require strong analytical skills and attention to issues of diversity. As a liberal arts major, sociology also provides a foundation for various professions such as social welfare, law, marketing, non-profit management, and counseling. Regardless of focus, all sociology students should become proficient in writing and speaking, research techniques, and technology.
Award Type(s)
AA = Associate in Arts Degree
Units Required
Major: 30
Additional Information
Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Online Courses for Sociology
The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.
- For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
- If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.
NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Associate Degree Requirements
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency: Select one of the following | ||
| ENGL 1A | Composition & Reading | 5 |
| ENGL 1AH | Honors Composition & Reading | 5 |
| ESLL 26 | Advanced Composition & Reading | 5 |
| or equivalent | ||
| Ethnic Studies |
||
| Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC | ||
| Mathematics Proficiency | ||
| College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra | ||
A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
Core courses (17 units)
Support courses (13 units)
*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| or SOC 1H | Honors Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| And 12 Units from the following: | ||
| SOC 8 | Popular Culture | 4 |
| SOC 10 | Social Research Methods & Designs | 5 |
| or PSYC 10 | Research Methods & Designs | 5 |
| SOC 11 | Introduction to Social Research | 5 |
| SOC 14 | Sociology of Crime | 4 |
| SOC 15 | Law & Society | 4 |
| SOC 19 | Alcohol & Drug Abuse | 4 |
| SOC 20 | Major Social Problems | 4 |
| SOC 23 | Race & Ethnic Relations | 4 |
| SOC 28 | Sociology of Gender | 4 |
| SOC 30 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| or PSYC 30 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| SOC 40 | Aspects of Marriage & Family | 4 |
| SOC 45 | Sociology of Sexuality | 4 |
Support Courses (13 units)
Select 13 units from the following:
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2A | Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| or ANTH 2AH | Honors Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| CHLD 8 | Child, Family & Community | 4 |
| CHLD 51A | Affirming Diversity in Education | 4 |
| ECON 1A | Principles of Macroeconomics | 5 |
| ECON 9 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| or ECON 9H | Honors International Political Economy | 4 |
| or POLI 9 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| or POLI 9H | Honors International Political Economy | 4 |
| ETHN 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 2 |
Introduction to African American Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 3 |
Introduction to Latinx Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 4 |
Introduction to Native American Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 5 |
Introduction to Asian American Studies | 4 |
| GEOG 2 | Human Geography | 4 |
| GLST 1 | Introduction to Global Studies | 4 |
| or GLST 1H | Honors Introduction to Global Studies | 4 |
| GLST 2 | Global Issues | 4 |
| HIST 8 | History of Latin America | 4 |
| HIST 10 | History of California: The Multicultural State | 4 |
| HIST 17C | History of the United States from 1914 to the Present | 4 |
| MATH 10 | Elementary Statistics | 5 |
| or PSYC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
| or SOC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
| PHIL 1 | Critical Thinking & Writing | 5 |
| PSYC 22 | Psychology of Prejudice & Discrimination | 4 |
| SOC 54H | Honors Institute Seminar in Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 70R | Independent Study in Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 71R | Independent Study in Sociology | 2 |
| SOC 72R | Independent Study in Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 73R | Independent Study in Sociology | 4 |
| WMN 5 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 4 |
| Total Units | 30 |
For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Sociology 2024-2025 in Degree & Certificates.
Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.